Appendix B. Adaptation Planning – Readiness and Next Steps

Appendix B. Adaptation Planning – Readiness and Next Steps

As part of the project, CEA assisted the Town with an adaptation capacity readiness assessment, using the MCAHUB.CA tool. This tool assesses readiness and helps to understand next steps in Policy, HR, and Technical realms. Next steps in each of the areas below should be implemented for the Town to manage risks and ensure resilience in the face of a change climate.

Policy

Completed:

• Council has declared a climate emergency
• Official Community Plan has recommendations on adaptation planning objectives
• Guidelines and criteria specific to sea-level rise and wildfire interface zones have been developed (but not for other items)

Next steps:

1. Communicate outcomes and benefits of adaptation planning to Council and stakeholders
2. Engage senior leadership in identifying strategic-level climate risk categories
3. Hazard Risk & Vulnerability Assessment – include lens of adaptation, and then get senior management and Council to endorse it
4. Adaptation Plan – develop one. Ensure it includes Key Performance Indicators to track progress
5. Guidelines and criteria for other adaptation items to be developed (e.g., extreme heat, air quality, and supplying generators to key locations / people during power cuts)
6. Incorporate climate adaptation into other plans, policies and actions as appropriate (e.g., asset management practices)
7. Monitor progress, conduct regular reports to Council and stakeholders, incorporate feedback

Human Resources

Completed:

• Town staff sit on the regional adaptation committee meetings, and information from these are brought back to the Town
• Town staff have an initial understanding of the risks posed by climate change to infrastructure, natural assets, and operations